Mucus retention cyst

A subtype of cyst that affects the vocal fold and that is typically unrelated to overuse of the voice. This type of cyst occurs when one of hundreds of mucus glands found just below the free margin of the vocal fold becomes obstructed, causing retention of mucus that would otherwise be secreted to bathe and lubricate the vocal folds. A mucus retention cyst is most often unilateral, and visible through its deformation of the free margin of the fold. It may have a yellowish color. See, for comparison, [intlink id=”169″ type=”post”]epidermoid cyst[/intlink].